Irish Fest, Lake George Jazz Fest on tap for weekend
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » The music continues. This weekend there are two completely different types of outdoor musical festivals available. Though different in their audience-base, each can be enjoyed by the entire mainstream population.
Friday and Saturday the sounds of Irish music will surround the Irish 2000 Festival at the Saratoga Fairgrounds in Ballston Spa. Meanwhile at Shepard’s Park in Lake George, the Lake George Jazz Festival offers two days of worldclass jazz musicians performing Saturday and Sunday.
A link that unites jazz and Irish music is one that neither can be defined or slotted into a category. This is one of the appeals of each festival. They touch on every type of style that exists within a specific type of music
The Irish Fest has returned to its original format of offering music on Friday evening and all day Saturday. Last year, it went to a Saturday only schedule, which obviously left many fans of Irish music disappointed.
Which means almost everyone. After all, who doesn’t like Irish music? And, I’m not talking the Plastic Patty stuff trotted out on St. Patrick’s Day. The heart of the Celtic soul is expressed with music that has a vibrant beat and lyrics that tell a story.
It’s often a call to action – whether it be a political conflict or the resolution of a romance – blossoming or turned sour. And too, the music can be so vigorous it compels you to sing, dance and celebrate being alive.
Indeed, these emotions will be on full display at the three performing stages that will be in use on Saturday – especially the Coors Light Main Stage. The bands are — Enter the Haggis (9:45 - 11), Shilelagh Law (8-9:15), Eileen Ivers (6:157:30) Screaming Orphans (4:30-5:45) and Get Up Jack (1:30-2:30). They combine the elements of lovely storytelling, traditional Irish enthusiasm, contemporary Jam Band sounds and even a touch of Celtic Punk.
For the traditional fans, the other stages will feature local favorites like the Hair of the Dog, the Brothers Flynn and the McKrells.
As for heritage, also performing at Irish 2000 are Rory Makem and Donal Clancy. They are the sons of Tommy Makam and Liam Clancy of the legendary Clancy Brothers fame.
Tickets for Irish 2000 Festival are available through Pay Pal or at the gate. $20 day of show Friday. $25 day of show Saturday. Kids under 12 free. Hours 7 p.m.-11 p.m. on Friday. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. on Saturday.
For those who appreciate jazz, many of the same emotional moods found at the Irish Fest will be offered at Shepard Park on Saturday and Sunday.
Though jazz is not as earthy as is the music associated with Irish culture, the sounds do evoke a reflective mood. The rhythms are contagious and stimulate emotions ranging from calm to an undeniable reflex action to move and sway to the beats of the music. And, the location – outdoors overlooking Lake George is ideal for this event.
The line-up for the free two day Lake George Jazz Festival is made up of performers with solid resumes. They are well-known in jazz circles, but few have reputations that make them mainstream recording stars. To the honor of the producers, Lake George Arts Projects, there is no headline padding. I mean using a band in which the leader is long dead and no players ever toured within decades of the original group.
This is a line-up of original and authentic jazz artists.
Many performers have been around for decades like Chaz Dominguez, a pianist who is a legend as a flamingo-jazz pianist. (He plays Saturday at 4:30 p.m.)
Everyone on the bill is an expert musician and has a flair for unique and individual interpretations. Most perform their own compositions;
The activities conclude on Saturday with a the set starting at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday features three acts starting at 1 p.m. and continuing to about 6 p.m. Just like the entire event, the day will be diverse in style and international in flavor. And, the quality of performances very high.
The entire two days will be offered without charge, For more information on schedule and individual performers go to lakegeorgearts.org or call (518) 668-2616